St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-08-30
Speculation as to Who Will
Be President Of the
Northern Pacific.
Doubt as to the Result, but
Mr.. Cakes Position Con-
Sidere1 Safe.
An Important Case Just De-
cided by the Courts
in Iowa.
The Winnipeg Row--The Gen
eral Record Of Railway
Intelligence.

The near approach dfsthe time for
the annual meeting of the directors
of the Northern Pacific road has
caused a good deal of speculation
as to the outcome. The fact seems to
have been clearly developed that there
are two parties in the board fighting for
the supremacy-theW Wright or Philadel-
phia party and the Elijah Smith party.
For several months the Philadelphia
party has claimed that it was impoSsi-
BILE for the opposition to obtain the con-
troll of the stock. To do this would re-
quire the purchase of 100000 shares,
which it was claimed there was no pos
sibility of doing. Within few
days there seems to have been
change, and there is reason to believe
that the Smith party has so far for
titled itself with actual stock and ac-
quired proxies, as to enable it to dictate
terms and control the election. 1t is
also currently reported that the Wright
party, now in power, has discovered
this fact, or is. at least so convinced of
the fact that the contest is close one,
that it has made Overtures to Mr.. Smith,
as the leader of the opposition, to conl-
promise by proposing to allow him to
this proposition be accepted it will indi-
cate that both sides are uncertain as to
the outcome. If rejected, it will indi-
cate that Mr.. Smith feels sure of WIN
ming. 1t is beyond question that the
Smith party. has been engaged all the
year buying up the stock wherever
it could be done on favor
able market. Not only this.
but holders of stock, without
any leaning to either side have been
continually piled with facts and figures,
all going to show that the best interests
of the road demanded that change
should be made, and it is claimed that
many of the independent shareholders
have been influenced by these efforts
and are actually pledged to assist in the
Overturn. The opposition denies that
it is part of its programme to elect an
entirely new board of directors. On
the contrary, only certain Objectionable
members are to be disposed Of-Old
fOgies who have stood in the way of q
progressive policy. For these active
and live men are to be substituted, who
will adopt a course better calculated to
develop the immense resources of the
system.
INSIDE HISTORY.
In speaking of the changes that are
likely to take place the Chicago Times
says:
If the change comes there is considerable
speculation as to who will be the president.
Elijah Smith is spoken OF, but it is doubtful
if he would accept. It'll a little piece of in
side history that when Mr.. Oakes in
sisted upon leaving the company some time
ago, he was induced to withhold his resigna-
ton and accept leave of absence until fall,
with the most positive assurance from some
of the directors that he should have the pres
idency of the company in place of Mr.. Harris
after the election that takes place next
month.
If the presidency is given to Mr.. Oakes the
financial affairs will be vested in an execu-
tive committee with a chairman, with head
quarters at New York, and Mr.. Oakes will
traffic affairs from that point If the old
board remains in power Mr.. Harris will prob
ably be retained as president.
THE TALK IN ST. PAUL.
Of course, there has been a good deal
of talk in St. Paul in regard to the
whole matter. and particularly as to the
changes that would be masie here in
case the president should be changed.
One gentleman connected with the
Northern Pacific said that Mr.. Oakes
was so situated, had SO many friends in
both factions, and his abilities as rail
road manager were so we'll known and
dppISCIdtSus tloU IL hOuiO lOO oul-
prise him to see HIM still re-
main in the same position he now
occupies which ever side won. eff
Mr.. Harris he reelected" this gentle
man said, '.he certainly will remain.
That was all arranged three or four
months ago, when Mr.. Harris was out
here. The fact is, when you come right
down to the fact, the object Mr.. Harris
had in coming out here last summer
was to arrange this very matter with
Mr.. Oakes, and from what l have since
learned, am satisfied it was arranged
at that time" This corresponds exactly
with the statement contained in the
above extract from the Chicago paper.